EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ADULT STILLS DISEASE - ESTIMATE OF THE INCIDENCE BY A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN WEST FRANCE

Objectives-To estimate the incidence of adult Still's disease (ASD) and to specify, if possible, associated factors. Methods-A retrospective study of the populations of the Brittany and Loire regions in west France was made from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1991. All internal medicine and rheumatology practitioners of these regions were consulted. Results-Sixty-two (62) cases were reported (93% response). The disease incidence calculated over five years was 0 . 16 per 100 000 inhabitants in the study population. There was no sex bias (sex ratio 1 . 06 in ASD v 1 . 05 in the overall population. The mean age of the study population was 36 years, with two peaks of distribution at 15-25 and 36-45 years. A history of allergy was present in 23% of patients (n = 14). In two patients, it was possible to correlate an environmental allergen to exacerbation of ASD. Conclusion-The yearly incidence of ASD was estimated to be 0 . 16 per 100 000 inhabitants. However, it was not possible to incriminate any infectious, toxic, or genetic factors in exacerbation of the disease.